Publication Date

2019

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Ghosh Roy, Priyanka

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

School of Health Studies

Abstract

The worldwide prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among school-aged children is estimated to be 40%. Anemia has been associated with varying degrees of impaired cognitive functioning due to iron’s role in maintaining the neurochemical environment of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, limited research is available related to the prevalence of IDA and its resulting adverse effects on cognitive functioning in school-aged children in the United States. Data from two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2013-2016 were analyzed to assess the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and difficulty concentrating in 1758 children, ages 5-15 years old. Hemoglobin levels were extracted and anemia was characterized by a hemoglobin level less than two standard deviations below standard levels for age and gender. Race/ethnicity and family income may be non-modifiable risk factors for the development of anemia, and as a result, the influence of socio-demographic factors on the prevalence of IDA and difficulty concentrating in school children was also examined. To understand the nutritional status in this population, average protein intake and iron status were determined and compared to the age and gender appropriate RDA.

Using the hemoglobin levels described earlier, an average of 8.3% of school-aged children met the criteria for iron deficiency anemia, however, the presence of anemia was not a statistically significant predictor of reported serious difficulty concentrating. Race/ethnicity was significantly associated with anemia, with higher a higher prevalence of anemia among non-Hispanic black children (17.5%) compared to non-Hispanic white children (3.1%). Poverty income ratio was also significantly associated with anemia, with a higher prevalence of anemia among children from low income households (9.5%) versus middle (5.4%) and high (7.3%) income households. Lastly, female gender and adolescent age of 14-15 years were common risk factors for low protein and iron intake.

It is expected that this study will prompt further research related to IDA in school-children, as increased knowledge related to IDA and nutritional status in school children can better assist health professionals in implementing appropriate dietary recommendations, as well as planning age-appropriate interventions to prevent adverse cognitive outcomes in school-aged children.

Extent

72 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

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Text

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